New iPhone Photo App: Sfera
Monday, September 13, 2010 at 2:00PM | Glyn Evans Want to shoot 360 degree panoramic photos? then check out Sfera from Yudo Inc.
App Store Description: Sfera is the only application which can create 360 degree "alive" photos!
With no specific setting needed, Sfera's interface is extremely simple, intuitive and accessible to anyone. Taping once on the screen will start the photo shooting. Sfera will take many photos in a row (by turning 360 degrees around you) that are going to be adjusted automatically, with no loading, in order to create one big spherical 360 degree photo.
Furthermore, you can make your photos "alive" by recording a 20 second audio sequence while shooting - the sound will be added automatically to the photo.
You can also take 360 degree photo of objects (by turning clockwise around the object - which is your central point).
In addition, you can photography your portrait by scrolling at 360 degrees the background behind you by activating the front camera of the iPhone.
Once a photo created, you can watch it on full screen 3D environment by simply scrolling it with your finger.
You can send by e-mail (only on iPhone) to your friends your favorite photos! They will be able to watch them (and also to listen to the audio sequence if included) via the free application "Sfera Viewer" available in the App Store.
App Store Link: Sfera; Price: £1.19/$1.99/€1.59
Editors comments: This looks like an interesting app and ideal for those who need to be able to shoot 360 degree (alive) panoramic photos, although recipients will need either the app or the free Sfera Viewer [App Store Link] to be able to view your Sfera 360's on their iPhone's or iPod Touch's.
There is a web viewer planned, which should make this app more useful, making it easier to share your creations.
I have not tried this app out, but if any of you have or do, then please provide feedback in the comments section of this post.
Reader Comments (16)
Actually works pretty well (didn't work inside the office as i think it must use the compass to decide how far round the 360 the phone is). Hard to tell the quality as can currently only be viewed on the phone as stated above but doubt its mega hi-res. Still, works and does what it says!
I bought this today and keep messing with it... I haven't successfully gotten one to work yet. I think it needs bright, consistent light or something... it doesn't work in my office at all... and when I tried it outside, it hit 100% before I had gone 360 degrees around. I dunno, maybe it's me, I'll keep playing with it. Doesn't seem as easy as it does in the video though so far...
I bought this app a few days ago and it works great. I have created pretty decent 360 photos with it. For me, it was worth the money :)
Just downloaded the app. Worked out fine indoors... but I was thinking that it would be fun if the panorama was exportable to video? In a way to create fast stopmotion type animation and ad it to video edit.
I tried severals photos app, and I think that one is the best.
Easy to use, and impressive. The result looks like a google streetview photo, with voice recording. It was worth the price. Definitely a must have.
This app is just GREAT! I love it!
It is sooo simple to use and the result is really impressive!
I agree too, this app is definitely a MUST HAVE!
Good Job Yudo
I bought this app a few days ago too.
Its a good app,works pretty well.May be the best app in its kind.
BUT for crying out loud its not exportable to any format that i am capable to watch from my PC.
Only iphone to ipnone app?...Pitty....
Not to crazy about this program. After you take a 360 photo and you want to email it ,the receiver of the email have to download a viewer to see the attachment of the picture of they wont be able to see the full effects of the 360 photo.
Once you take a picture with this app you can email it to others but only if they have an iPhone or iPod touch. They have to download the Sfera Viewer on their iPhone or iPod Touch in order to view the picture.
Therefore, you will not be able to send pictures to anyone who does not have these Apple products. Nor can you email them to yourself and open them on your computer. In other words, at this time, it's an incredibly, albeit interesting, limited app.
Isnt there a webviewer close to release?
I cannot imagine how this special technique should be compatible with standard viewers. May be if the developers of the standard viewers sees Sfera as a new market then they will include this format.
Have you tried PangeaVR. I thinks its free, but also you need a viewer.
Ok,the special technique and the compatibility issues with standard viewers is an issue,i give you that, but i really cant see how that app is going to grow without the ability to share my pictures with no i-dervices.
From my point of view thats the special features that make an application great and famous.Small little things.
When i downloaded the app,and test it on my phone,i was pretty sure that on their site there would be the software (even not free) to watch my picture or to share it with other people....
@lord09
In there app description they promise to deliver a Webviewer soon.
May be they will take your money for that ;-) But first you have to wait.
I have made several 360 with this app and it works as described. I believe it uses the internal gyroscope to sense the 360 (shown as a percentage) Therefore you need to slowly turn iPhone to get complete pano. I think a web viewer will give this app much more appeal.
I just tried it out and it worked fine. I'm a cubicle dweller and it worked in my office which has only flourescent lighting around it, and no windows close by.
If they tap into the HD video, it could turn out to be very high quality output. I'm impressed - for $2, what do you expect? Coffee costs more!
Right on Yudo team!
the web viewer works just fine, I dunno why all this bitchin' around myah
Sfera is FREE until June 24th 2011 !
In addition, ALL SHOP ITEMS are $0,99 up to that date !
iTunes link : http://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/sfera/id386287735?mt=8